11 June 2026

What Is Citicoline (CDP-Choline)?

Most people know creatine. Far fewer know citicoline, the second half of the perco formula. Here is a plain-English explainer.

What it actually is

Citicoline, also written CDP-choline, is a compound that serves as a clean, well-absorbed source of choline, a nutrient your body uses every single day.

Why choline matters

Choline is an essential nutrient, and surveys suggest many people do not get enough of it from diet alone. Your body uses choline for everyday housekeeping, including making acetylcholine, one of the body's signalling molecules. In nutrition terms, the established, authorised roles of choline include contributing to normal lipid metabolism and normal homocysteine metabolism.

What the research is exploring

This is the part to read with a clear head: the points below describe independent third-party research about citicoline, not claims about any product.

A clinical trial by McGlade and colleagues (2012) reported improvements in attentional performance and psychomotor speed in healthy adults after 28 days of citicoline. It is one reason citicoline has drawn interest beyond its basic nutritional role, though, as ever, the wider field is still developing.

Cognizin®

There are different forms of citicoline on the market. Cognizin® is a branded, clinically studied form, which is why a lot of research and a lot of premium products use it specifically.

Why pair it with creatine?

Creatine supports the body's energy systems; citicoline is a clean source of an everyday essential nutrient. Together they are the two simple, fully-dosed actives behind "strong body, clear mind."

Educational summary of independent third-party research. Not medical advice; not a claim about any product.